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New Statistics Reflect the Changing Face of Plastic Surgery
American Society of Plastic Surgeons Releases Report Showing Shift in Procedures

Thursday, February 25, 2016

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL – New data released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) show continued growth in cosmetic procedures over the last year, and a shift in the types of procedures patients have chosen since the start of the new millennium. According to the annual plastic surgery procedural statistics, there were 15.9 million surgical and minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures performed in the United States in 2015, a 2 percent increase over 2014.

Since 2000, overall procedures have risen 115 percent, but the types of procedures patients are choosing are changing.

"While more traditional facial procedures and breast augmentations are still among the most popular, we're seeing much more diversity in the areas of the body patients are choosing to address," said ASPS President David H. Song, MD, MBA, FACS. "Patients have more options than ever, and working closely with their surgeon, they're able to focus on specific target areas of the body to achieve the look they desire."

Lifts Lead the List

It used to be that the term plastic surgery was nearly synonymous with facelifts, and while they remain a popular option among patients, other types of lifts are surging.

Top 5 Cosmetic Surgical and Minimally-Invasive Procedures

While procedures like upper arm lifts and lower body lifts have shown substantial growth, for the first time since at least 2000, facelifts slipped out of the top 5 most-performed procedures last year, giving way to tummy tucks.

Of the 1.7 million cosmetic surgical procedures performed in 2015, the top 5 were:

Soft Tissue Fillers (2.4 million procedures, up 6 percent from 2014 and 274 percent since 2000)

Chemical Peel (1.3 million procedures, up 5 percent from 2014 and 14 percent since 2000)

Laser hair removal (1.1 million procedures, unchanged from 2014, but up 52 percent since 2000)

Microdermabrasion (800,340 procedures, down 9 percent from 2014 and 8 percent since 2000)

"The number of available providers, lower costs and the less-invasive nature of these procedures obviously appeal to a much broader range of patients," said Dr. Song. "However, we urge anyone who is considering a minimally-invasive procedure to consult with a board-certified, ASPS-member surgeon."

Many of these minimally-invasive procedures are performed by a variety of providers, and not all of them have the expertise or rigorous training of ASPS-member surgeons. "It may not be surgery, but there is still a lot at stake," said Dr. Song. "Before you undergo any procedure, do your homework and make sure you're putting yourself in the hands of only the most most qualified and highly-trained expert available."

Bottoms Up!

New ASPS stats showed that 2015 was another year of the rear, as procedures focusing on the derriere dominated surgical growth. Buttock implants were the fastest growing type of cosmetic surgery in 2015, and, overall, there was a buttock procedure every 30 minutes of every day, on average.

For the First Time, Men Account for More than 40 Percent of Aesthetic Breast Reduction Surgeries

There were 68,106 aesthetic breast reduction surgeries in the United States in 2015, and for the first time men accounted for more than 40 percent of those procedures.

A total of 27,456 breast reduction surgeries (Gynecomastia) were performed on men, representing a 5 percent increase over the previous year and a 35 percent growth since 2000.

"As plastic surgery is becoming more common and accepted in men, we're seeing more of them undergo procedures to tighten and tone problem areas, like the breasts," said Dr.Song. "This procedure is often done in younger men who face genetic challenges with the size and shape of their breasts, and when appropriate, surgery can make a big difference in their lives."

More Breast Cancer Patients Aware of Reconstruction Options

In 2012, ASPS launched a national Breast Reconstruction Awareness Campaign to educate, engage and empower women to make informed decisions about their healthcare following breast cancer diagnosis and mastectomy. We're happy to report that in 2015, the number of reconstruction procedures increased another 4 percent to more than 106,300, and since 2000, the numbers are up a remarkable 35 percent.

"That's encouraging, and we hope to continue to get the word out to all women who are facing breast cancer, so they will be well aware of all their reconstructive options from the outset of diagnosis," said Dr. Song.

Breast reconstruction may be performed using several plastic surgery techniques, depending on which is most clinically appropriate for the patient, and is important to restore the breast to near normal shape, appearance and size following a lumpectomy or mastectomy.

About the ASPS Annual Procedural Statistics

ASPS members may report procedural information through the first online national database for plastic surgery procedures, Tracking Operations and Outcome for Plastic Surgeons (TOPS). This data, combined with an annual survey sent to American Board of Medical Specialties' certified physicians most likely to perform these procedures, results in the most comprehensive census on plastic surgery.

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About ASPS

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the world's largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons. Representing more than 8,000 member surgeons, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 93 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. ASPS advances quality care to plastic surgery patients by encouraging high standards of training, ethics, physician practice and research in plastic surgery.